Anti-skid plate for a stair

ABSTRACT

An anti-skid plate is to be fixed on a corner of a step of a stair. The corner is formed with a generally L-shaped notch which has a generally horizontal notch portion and a generally vertical notch portion that form an angle of about 90° therebetween. The anti-skid plate includes a rectangular, generally horizontal plate portion for engaging fittingly the horizontal notch portion of the notch in the corner of the step of the stair, and has a plurality of upwardly extending integral upper ribs that are generally parallel to the vertical notch portion and that have round top ends, and a rectangular, generally vertical plate portion that has a top side formed integrally on an outer side of the horizontal plate portion and that is mounted to engage fittingly the vertical notch portion. A lower rib projects integrally and downwardly from the horizontal plate portion in a direction that is generally parallel to the vertical plate portion. The lower rib is to be embedded within the step, and has an enlarged lower end for preventing removal of the anti-skid plate from the step.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a plate, more particularly to an anti-skid plate that is adapted to be fixed on a corner of a step of a stair.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional metal anti-skid plate 10 is adapted to be fixed on a corner of a cement step of a stair (not shown).

[0005] As illustrated, the conventional anti-skid plate 10 is generally L-shaped, and includes a rectangular horizontal plate portion 11, a rectangular vertical plate portion 12, and a lower rib 13. The vertical plate portion 12 extends downwardly and perpendicularly from one side of the horizontal plate portion 11. The horizontal plate portion 11 has a plurality of upwardly extending integral upper ribs 111, every adjacent pair of which defining a groove (111G) therebetween. The lower rib 13 projects integrally and downwardly from a lower surface of the horizontal plate portion 11 in a direction that is generally parallel to the vertical plate portion 12. The lower rib 13 has an enlarged lower end 131 adapted to be embedded within the cement of the step, and can thus be prevented from being removed from the step.

[0006] Some disadvantages that result from the use of the conventional anti-skid plate 10 are as follows:

[0007] (i) Each of the upper ribs 111 is formed by a horizontal wall section (111P) and two vertical wall sections (111S) which extend downwardly from two opposite ends of the horizontal wall section (111P) so as to define a sharp ridge (111R) between the horizontal wall section (111P) and each vertical wall section (111S). Thus, in case a bare foot of a person steps over the anti-skid plate 10, the sharp ridges (111R) cooperatively pinch the sole of the person's foot, thereby causing pain. The horizontal wall sections (111P) of the ribs 111 cooperatively form a horizontal plane such that the ribs 111 provide a limited anti-skid effect to the bare foot that steps thereover.

[0008] (ii) The sharp ridges (111R) are susceptible to wear after long term use, thereby adversely degrading the anti-skid ability of the plate 10.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Therefore, the main object of this invention is to provide an anti-skid plate of a specific structure that is adapted to be fixed on a corner of a step of a stair such that the anti-skid plate does not pinch a bare foot of a person stepping on the step.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-skid plate which is adapted to be fixed on a corner of a step of a stair, and which is formed with a plurality of parallel anti-skid ribs, wherein the outermost one is higher than remainder ones, thereby enhancing the anti-skid effect of the plate.

[0011] Accordingly, an anti-skid plate of the present invention is adapted to be fixed on a corner of a step of a stair. The corner of the step is formed with a generally L-shaped notch which has a generally horizontal notch portion and a generally vertical notch portion that form an angle of about 90° therebetween. The anti-skid plate includes a rectangular, generally horizontal plate portion, a rectangular, generally vertical plate portion, and a lower rib. The horizontal plate portion is adapted to engage fittingly the horizontal notch portion of the notch in the corner of the step of the stair, and has a plurality of upwardly extending integral upper ribs that are adapted to be disposed generally parallel to the vertical notch portion and that have round top ends. The vertical plate portion has a top side that is formed integrally on an outer side of the horizontal plate portion, and is adapted to engage fittingly the vertical notch portion. The lower rib projects integrally and downwardly from the horizontal plate portion in a direction that is generally parallel to the vertical plate portion. The lower rib is adapted to be embedded within the step, and has an enlarged lower end for preventing removal of the anti-skid plate from the step.

[0012] Because the top ends of the upper ribs of the plate are round, when a bare foot of a person steps thereon, little or no pinching pain will be felt.

[0013] Preferably, the horizontal plate portion of the plate of the present invention is provided with an elevating rib element that projects upwardly from the outer side thereof and that is integrally formed with a top end of the vertical plate portion. The elevating rib element has a width and height larger than those of the upper ribs so as to provide an enhanced anti-skid effect to the foot of a person that steps thereover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional anti-skid plate;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an anti-skid plate according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the preferred embodiment when mounted on a corner of a step of a stair, and when a bare foot steps thereon;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the preferred embodiment when mounted on a corner of a step of a stair, and when a shoe steps thereon during descent on the stair; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the preferred embodiment when mounted on a corner of a step of a stair, and when a shoe steps thereon during ascent on the stair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the preferred embodiment of a one-piece metal anti-skid plate 20 of the present invention is fixed on a corner of a step 1 of a cement stair, as best shown in FIG. 3, and includes a rectangular, generally horizontal plate portion 21, a rectangular, generally vertical plate portion 22, and a lower rib 23.

[0021] As illustrated, the corner of the cement step 1 is formed with a generally L-shaped notch 111 which has a generally horizontal notch portion 112 and a generally vertical notch portion 113 that form an angle of slightly smaller than 90° therebetween.

[0022] The plate 20 of the preferred embodiment is generally mounted in the notch 111 of the cement step 1 of the stair during the solidification of the cement step 1 such that the horizontal plate portion 21 of the plate 20 engages fittingly the horizontal notch portion 112 of the notch 111 in the corner of the step 1 of the stair, while the vertical plate portion 22 engages fittingly the vertical notch portion 113 of the notch 111. The horizontal plate portion 21 has a plurality of upwardly extending integral upper ribs 211 that are generally parallel to the vertical notch portion 113 and that have round top ends (211G). The vertical plate portion 22 of the plate 20 has a top side that is formed integrally on an outer side of the horizontal plate portion 21.

[0023] A lower rib 23 projects integrally and downwardly from the horizontal plate portion 21 in a direction that is generally parallel to the vertical plate portion 22, and is embedded within the cement step 1 upon solidification of the cement step 1. The lower rib 23 has an enlarged lower end 231 for preventing removal of the anti-skid plate 20 from the step 1.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal plate portion 21 further has an elevating rib element 24 which projects integrally and upwardly from the outer side thereof and which is parallel to the upper ribs 211. The elevating rib element 24 has a width and a height which are respectively and slightly larger than those of the upper ribs 211, and a round top end (24G).

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, in case a bare foot of a person steps on the step 1 of the stair, little or no pinching pain is felt by virtue of the round top ends (211G, 24G) of the ribs 211, 24. Moreover, the round top ends (211G, 24G) of the ribs 211, 24 can provide a massaging effect to the sole of the foot.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, when the shoe of a person steps on the step 1 during descent on the stair, the front end of the bottom surface of the shoe will be lifted upward by the elevating rib element 24 such that the horizontal plane and the bottom surface of the shoe define an angle of about 3° therebetween, which consequently results in slight rearward leaning of the person. Thus, the gravity center of the person is shifted rearwardly and downwardly relative to the rib element 24, thereby assisting in safe balancing of the person.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, during upward climbing on the stair 1, the rear end of the shoe will be lifted upward by the elevating rib element 24, which action consequently causes the upper body part of the person to lean forward, thereby assisting in the balancing of the person so as to ensure safety when climbing the stair.

[0028] With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated in the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An anti-skid plate adapted to be fixed on a corner of a step of a stair, the corner being formed with a generally L-shaped notch which has a generally horizontal notch portion and a generally vertical notch portion that form an angle of about 90° therebetween, said anti-skid plate comprising: a rectangular, generally horizontal plate portion adapted to engage fittingly the horizontal notch portion of the notch in the corner of the step of the stair, and having a plurality of upwardly extending integral upper ribs that are adapted to be disposed generally parallel to the vertical notch portion and that have round top ends; a rectangular, generally vertical plate portion having a top side that is formed integrally on an outer side of said horizontal plate portion, said vertical plate portion being adapted to engage fittingly the vertical notch portion; and a lower rib projecting integrally and downwardly from said horizontal plate portion in a direction that is generally parallel to said vertical plate portion, said lower rib being adapted to be embedded within the step, and having an enlarged lower end for preventing removal of said anti-skid plate from the step.
 2. The anti-skid plate as defined in claim 1, wherein said horizontal plate portion further has an elevating rib element which projects integrally and upwardly from the side thereof and which is parallel to said upper ribs, said elevating rib element having a width and a height which are respectively and slightly larger than those of said upper ribs.
 3. The anti-skid plate as defined in claim 2, wherein said elevating rib element has a round top end. 